Common Sense Needed To Save Local Jobs
02-June-2009
Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Liberal Member for Indi called for the Government to employ a common sense approach to their new workplace laws in Parliament today.
“A number of local business owners, tourist operators and fruit growers have contacted me, concerned by the effect that the Government’s ‘award modernisation’ changes may have on their business and their staff. The Government’s award modernisation is set to impose increased costs on all employers.”
“One local independent supermarket owner wrote to me: ‘as a concerned employer I do not want to reduce staff but I fear that this may be one of the inevitable consequences of the introduction of this new Award.’”
“Many of his employees are working mothers and students who rely on flexible hours and casual work. He is genuinely concerned by the effect that the new award system will have on his business and his employees and this is a sentiment expressed by many local business owners,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“Business owners, particularly small business owners in rural areas, develop a close relationship with their staff. They are concerned not only for the future of their businesses under the Government’s changes, but also for the future of their staff.”
“The Government’s award modernisation will also greatly affect local fruit growers and put additional costs and stress on the business of fruit growing. Fruit growers are estimating an increase in costs of up to $10,000 per hectare,”
“This is due primarily to the seasonal nature of the industry – a fact that the Government has not taken into account. Fruit is picked when it needs to be and is packed on weekends for wholesale markets and chain stores that open on Monday. Strict rules on overtime will mean that employers will have to pay workers overtime if they work more than 38 hours in one week,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“The Government’s introduced limits on hours worked will seriously disadvantage seasonal workers as it makes it too expensive to employ them for more than 38 hours per week. Fruit picking is seasonal work, so workers earn as much as they can when they can.”
“The Minister has requested that a concession be made for restaurants, cafes and catering companies under the new award; a Government admission that their ‘modern award’ will disadvantage both employers and employees in the hospitality sector,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“Coming from a small business background, I am aware of how the added costs will impact on local businesses and local jobs.”
“The Government should not treat all sectors with a blanket rule. They should stop make laws to help create jobs, not destroy them,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“I have spoken in Parliament on this issue and fully support the Coalition amendments to Labor’s legislation. Our amendments will help take the edges of the most job-destroying parts of this law, ensuring that the system is implemented in a responsible way that preserves the jobs of working Australians.”